Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: Hunterman on February 04, 2008, 08:17:40 AM
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I'm thinking about getting back into smoke pole hunting for elk (for the either sex hunting ) ..I'm looking at the .50 cals. inlines..(I shoot left handed and don't like the hammer sitting between my eyes.) I'm leanning towards a CVA, but am open to other suggestions..
Hunterman(Tony)
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I have a 50 cal and a 54 cal both are hammer lock and I don't really like them too much, I have sighted them in several times and when it comes to hunting I cannot hit what I'm shooting at with them.
This year (07) I had a Winston ML tag and missed 4 times at different elk all within 60 yds, after missing I wanted to wrap them around a tree but I figured I would go back to the pit and see what is wrong.
If I had it to do over I would buy an in line something or other that is way easier to clean in the field.
So I guess that would be my suggestion is to find something you can easily clean in the field so your accuracy does not suffer after 1 or 2 shots.
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Hunterman-someone had a CVA Elkhorn on er for $200. I own one and i really like it. I also own a TC Black Diamond. I switch back and forth every year from muzzleload and archery. I have killed a buck with both muzzleloaders I own. I personally like my CVA Elkhorn better. It has a really comfortable monte carlo stock.
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I'm sure it is all personal preference I have 2 Thompson Center's one Firehawk 7 years old (which is deadly accurate right out of the box) and a newer Black Diamond. Both are great weapons and I have shot others like tmikes knight (I think it's a Bighorn?) but I have also shot the Knight wolverine. Most all of the newer ones have removable breech plugs which make cleaning a breeze and with todays choices of triple 7 or American Pioneer powders you may get lucky and have a gun that tolerates more than 2 shots before cleanings (most inlines will). I have shot my firehawk as many as 13 times at the range before cleaning allthough I just prefer to go about 5 or 6. With the technology of today you should be able to find one that will be accurate out to 100 to 130 yards with 100 grains and possibly 175 -200 with a mag load of 150grains (If the manufacturer suggests the barrel is capable). What ever you get I suggest seasoning the barrel with Bore butter and you will have no problem with cleanings in the future, Good luck!
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I agree with M_ray, its all personal choice. I am by know means an expert but I found that my preferance is the Knight Bighorn. I had the CVA huntermag but had nothing but problems with it as soon as I could I got rid of it.. The Bighorn I now have is accurate, reliable and legal for our state. Im impressed. about the only thing I have a gripe with is the short stock. Im watching to see if I can find one of the thumbhole to hang on it.But they do open up quite a few opps . Just my .02
Sage
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I just bought that CVA Elkhorn that was for sale here. Now I have to stop eveerything around the house and punch some wholes in some paper :IBCOOL:
Hunterman(Tony)
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ok, Newbie questions
He mentioned he wanted a inline. I didn't think that inlines were legal in WA???? What is the difference in the 209 system and the open or unprotected breech that we have to have in this state? If I said that totally wrong, then LORD I apologize fur that right there, God bless the pigmes in new ginney... LOL
I'm totally new to ML's so I really don't have clue. I read the hunting regs and that crap doesn't make sense. I need it explain to me or have a show and tell sessions..
Thanks Pete
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The 209 system uses a shotgun primer, with the game regs it says that the breech has to be open and exposed to the elements so a 209 can not be used, but most of the new inline mz have an inerchangable breech plugs from the 209 to what ever is legal. I kow my CVA came with two different breech plugs one for the 209 and the other for cap. Total BS that you can't use a 209 primer, but hey I don't make the regs up.
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Robb, slight correction on the regs. The regs state,that percusion caps that fit on the nipple and that are exposed to the elements are legal. 209 primers illegal. Sights must be open, peep, or other open sight design.
Also be aware of the bullet requirments.
Deer: single non-jacketed lead bullet of a nom..40 polymer tip bullets are legal, # 1 buck shot out of a .60 or larger is also ok
Elk: non-jacketed nom .50 nom 170gr lead bullet polymer tip also ok
I have a T/C Blackhawk, .50 . I like it, its not the best out there but for less than $300, you can legally hunt with it right out of the box.
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my grandpa has a remington inline muzzle loader.
it's pretty nice but it's probably more money than a CVA.
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I have to agree with Sagedawg, I have a Knight Bighorn and I love it! :hunter:
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Edmonds hunter that is what I said if you read my post is says that 209s are illegal,
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im buying my son a cva buckhorn.My boss had one and said it was a hell of gun for the money.It goes for 139.00 at cabelas
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I use a 50 cal t/c black diamond and love it
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get a left handed sidelock they are as accurrate as a inline in the right hands and they look good ok so field cleaning aint so easy but if it takes more then five shots to hit what ur aiming at your best bet is to go get urself a pile of rocks and start hucking them
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I have a 50 cal and a 54 cal both are hammer lock and I don't really like them too much, I have sighted them in several times and when it comes to hunting I cannot hit what I'm shooting at with them.
This year (07) I had a Winston ML tag and missed 4 times at different elk all within 60 yds, after missing I wanted to wrap them around a tree but I figured I would go back to the pit and see what is wrong.
If I had it to do over I would buy an in line something or other that is way easier to clean in the field.
So I guess that would be my suggestion is to find something you can easily clean in the field so your accuracy does not suffer after 1 or 2 shots.
Just wondering if you've tried peep sights yet? When I first started with the muzzyloader I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. :bash:
Was gonna throw the damn gun away. The guy at the shop I bought it at saw my frustration and threw a peep sight at me and said get outa here. :) Yea life is good for meep with a peep sight. :IBCOOL:
Also a big huge plus one on the TC Firehawk! Best ever!!
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I love my bighorn eventhough I missed a 130 yard shot on Sunday. Shot right over it, the classic holding too high on a steep downhill shot. Anyway, I got mine last spring, thumbhole stock, what I did was I bought the Williams peep and a red front optic sight instead of the green one it comes with.Being a geezer like MRay :chuckle: my eyes melted the rear reds with the front green to a fine blurry line. The peep is awesome and I much prefer the red over the green front it comes with.
